The doctor emerged from the operating room, looking exhausted, with a solemn expression and eyes full of regret.

"I'm so sorry, we've done our best. If we could have sent it a day earlier, there might still be hope... Sigh..." The doctor sighed helplessly.

When Meng Shuyun and Director Lian heard this news, they were both shocked and their eyes widened.

This devastating news was far too heavy for a child of Xiaojun's age...

Xiao Jun didn't quite understand what "tried his best" meant. He only saw the operating room door open and desperately wanted to rush in to find the old lady, but was stopped by the nurse.

Immediately afterwards, a nurse slowly pushed the cart out, and the old lady on the cart was covered with a white sheet...

Night fell, dark as ink, pressing down heavily.

When Meng Shuyun, along with Xiaoli and Xiaojuan, dragged their tired bodies back to the Meng family home, it was already past dinner time.

Su Xiumei was restless in the room, her heart pounding like a rabbit's. She couldn't wait any longer and went to the school early in the morning, but she didn't see him anywhere.

Su Xiulan was also extremely anxious. She quickly asked someone to look after the child and then went out to search for the child with Su Xiumei.

Only when they saw Meng Shuyun and the other two return safely did the family finally breathe a sigh of relief.

Meng Shuyun stepped into the main room and told them everything about Xiaojun, explaining that she had been delayed for a long time because of this matter, causing her family to worry and feeling very guilty.

Xiaoli and Xiaojuan stood to the side, heads bowed, their faces filled with self-reproach, their eyes glistening with tears.

Hearing about Xiao Jun's tragic experience, especially after learning that the old lady could not be saved, Su Xiumei and Su Xiulan were overcome with grief and tears welled up in their eyes. They couldn't help but raise their hands to wipe away their tears.

Su Xiumei stroked her two daughters' heads tenderly, her voice choked with emotion, and said softly, "Good children, Mom will get up early tomorrow and make you something delicious. You can take it to Xiaojun."

At this moment, Gu Xue heard the commotion in the courtyard, and, supporting herself against the wall, slowly walked out.

She was thin and pale. She coughed lightly, and that faint sound instantly attracted everyone's attention.

"Why did you come out! You're still not fully recovered, go back inside and lie down." Meng Shuyun quickly stepped forward and said reproachfully, her eyes full of concern and heartache.

"Yes, Xue'er, Mother is back. Everything's alright, don't worry," Su Xiulan chimed in softly.

"Xue'er, dinner's almost ready. You must be starving! I'll go prepare it right away." Su Xiumei said, and quickly turned and went into the kitchen.

Gu Xue's lips curled up slightly, forcing a smile, and she said softly, "I'm fine. I just came out to see if Mother had returned. I'm relieved to see that she's back."

As soon as he finished speaking, the courtyard gate creaked open, and Zhou Xianye walked in, looking travel-worn.

His hair was a little messy, he had a smile on his face, and he was holding a knife of meat in his hand.

"Xiumei, I'm back." Zhou Xianye's voice was a little tired, but it also revealed the joy of returning home.

After Zhou Xianye handed over the car, he was called to cover for Lie Ge's shift and made a long-distance trip. He only got back today.

Xiaoli and Xiaojuan, with their sharp eyes, spotted Zhou Xianye at a glance. They cheered and, like two happy little rabbits, ran over and hugged Zhou Xianye's legs tightly.

Their eyes sparkled with joy: "Daddy, you're back! I missed you so much!"

"Dad, you're finally back! Mom has been chopping wood while you were away, and her hands are all red from it."

Zhou Xianye felt a warm glow in his heart. He reached out and touched his two daughters' heads, then carried the meat into the kitchen with a happy smile on his face: "Dad missed you too. I made a lot of money this time. If you want anything, just tell me. I'll pick you up from school tomorrow and buy it for you."

He looked at the two sisters with doting eyes, his gaze filled with tender light.

“Xiumei, I’ve earned fifty yuan in the past two weeks,” Zhou Xianye said, turning to Su Xiumei.

Su Xiumei was busy starting a fire and cooking when she heard this, and first exclaimed "Oh dear!"

Her eyes were slightly red, with a hint of reproach mixed with joy. She took the meat from Zhou Xianye's hand and gently punched him on the shoulder.

"It's good that you're back. I was so worried about Xue'er that I forgot about you."

"Did you go to see your mother when you came back? Did the trip go smoothly?" Su Xiumei asked with concern.

"Not yet, I came to see you first." Zhou Xianye scratched his head and said with a simple and honest expression.

Su Xiumei was both amused and annoyed, and pushed him toward the main room: "Dinner will be ready soon, and your mother is thinking of you too."

Inside the main room, the light was dim, and Meng Shuyun sat in a chair with a solemn expression.

Knowing what Gu Xue wanted to ask, she proactively recounted her experience at the bank that day: "I only got a loan of 20,000 yuan, which is definitely not enough. I plan to go to Guangzhou to ask the banks there. If they can only lend 20,000 yuan there as well, I might as well sell the house now."

"It's just tough on you. This house was originally bought for you two, and you haven't lived in it for long before it has to be sold."

Gu Xue gently shook her head, her gaze firm: "There are priorities, and I want to help Xiang Nan as much as possible. We can buy another house later."

Just then, Zhou Xianye walked into the main room: "Mother, I'm here."

When Meng Shuyun saw Zhou Xianye, a relieved smile immediately appeared on her face. She invited him to sit down and said, "It's good that you're back. You're a great contributor to our Meng family. You must have had a long journey."

After Zhou Xianye sat down, he took out all his wages and began to recount the incident with Manager Zhao that day, a hint of guilt on his face:

"Mom, I'm sorry, I just gave them a hundred yuan. I originally wanted to give ten yuan, but I was worried that if I gave too little, they would make things difficult for me."

As he spoke, he handed over the remaining one hundred yuan and fifty yuan of his wages to Meng Shuyun.

"It's worth any amount of money as long as you brought Xue'er back safely, as long as she's alright," Meng Shuyun said with emotion as she took the money.

After dinner, the family sat together to discuss their next plans.

Meng Shuyun said in a serious and methodical manner, "I'm going to Guangzhou tomorrow. Xiaoli and Xiaojuan will be picked up and dropped off by Xianye."

Everyone, please do your jobs. I'll be back in a few days. If any strangers come into the village asking about our family, please don't tell them anything.

I'll let Quanzi know. If there's anything urgent, call me at 6 PM. Everyone nodded in agreement.

Meng Shuyun returned to her room and began packing her luggage. She neatly folded several old clothes and put them into a cloth bag.

At this moment, Gu Xue gently knocked on the door and came in: "Mother, please let me go with you."

Gu Xue's eyes were full of earnestness and expectation as she awaited Meng Shuyun's reply.